FIFA World Cup qualifiers preview: Italy, Croatia and Denmark have work to do

The final 9 spots in the FIFA World Cup are on the line in the next couple of days. There are a few interesting games to keep an eye on. Here is a small preview of all of the action from UEFA, Africa, and the intra-continental playoffs.

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November 9th/12th: Northern Ireland vs Switzerland

Northern Ireland will attempt to become the second team from the United Kingdom to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, after England, and their first appearance since 1986 in Mexico. The 23rd team in the FIFA Rankings finished with a 6-3-1 record and 17 points. Unfortunately, they are riding a 2-game losing streak after losing to Germany (who qualified) and Norway (who failed to qualify).

Switzerland will attempt to enter their 4th straight World Cup. It is tied for the longest streak since going 4 straight between 1934 and hosting in 1954. The 11th ranked team in the world recently had their 15-game unbeaten streak snapped by Portugal back on October 10th, but they are still riding the momentum.

Leg 1 will be November 9th in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Leg 2 will be November 12th in Basel, Switzerland. Northern Ireland holds a 2-1-1 edge over the Swiss.

Pick to advance: Switzerland.

November 9th/12th: Croatia vs Greece

Luka Modric

Croatia will attempt to qualify for their 5th World Cup this year after being ranked 18th in the FIFA World Rankings, since gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1990.

Greece will attempt to qualify for their 4th World Cup, 3rd straight while being ranked 47th in the world.

Leg 1 will be November 9th in Zagreb, Croatia and Leg 2 will be held November 12th at Piraeus, Greece. Greece holds a 2-1-3 edge over Croatia.

Pick to advance: Croatia have a good squad on paper and should have booked an entry earlier. If their stars perform, they shouldn't find it hard to go through.

November 10th/13th: Sweden vs Italy

Can Zaza replicate his club form for Italy?

Sweden are going for their 1st appearance since 2006 in Germany. They are currently ranked 25th in the world.

Italy are trying to avoid missing the World Cup for the first and only time when they failed to qualify in 1958 in Sweden. The Italians are currently ranked 15th.

Leg 1 will be held November 10th in Solna, Sweden and Leg 2 will be held in Milan, Italy. Italy holds an 11-6-6 all-time record vs the Swedes.

Despite their defeat to the Dutch a few weeks ago, Sweden's goal difference got them through to the playoffs. But, Italy could offer a strong proposition.

Pick to advance: Italy, to continue their tradition and dominance in European soccer.

November 11th/14th: Denmark vs the Republic of Ireland

Christian Eriksen

Denmark will attempt to enter only their 5th World Cup, all since 1986 in Mexico and first since 2010 in South Africa. Currently ranked 19th in the world, the Danes are trying to continue the success that they try to muster against the Irish.

The Republic of Ireland, ranked 26th, would be going for their 4th appearance, all since 1990 in Italy.

Leg 1 will be held on November 11th in Copenhagen, Denmark and Leg 2 will be held in Dublin, Ireland. The Irish hold a 5-3-4 all-time lead over the Danish.

Pick to advance: Ireland

Intra-continental playoffs

One last hurrah?

November 10th/15th Honduras (CONCACAF) vs Australia (AFC)

Honduras, ranked 69th, qualified for this spot after finishing 4th in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying after a hectic final day that saw the Hondurans upset Mexico, Panama beat Costa Rica and the United States getting knocked out after losing to Trinidad and Tobago. They would go for their 3rd straight appearance.

Australia ranked 43rd, qualified after winning the AFC 5th place playoff against Syria, when both teams finished 3rd in their respective groups. They would attempt to enter their 4th straight World Cup, all since joining AFC from OFC.

This is their first meeting against each other. Leg 1 will be November 10th in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Leg 2 will be November 15th in Sydney, Australia.

Pick to advance: Honduras

November 11th/15th: New Zealand (OFC) vs Peru (CONMEBOL)

Winston Reid of New Zealand

New Zealand, ranked 122nd in the world, would try to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010 in South Africa, 3rd overall. The qualified for this spot after winning the OFC Nations Cup.

Peru is ranked 10th in the world and trying to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982 in Spain. The acquired their spot in this match after finishing 5th in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings.

This is their first meeting against each other. Leg 1 will be November 11th in Wellington, New Zealand and Leg 2 will be November 15th in Lima, Peru.

Pick to advance: Peru, their place in the FIFA World Ranking would prove more than just a number.

November 10th-14th: African qualifying

Sadio Mane

Three spots up for grabs from Africa coming up.

In Group A, Tunisia and DR Congo are fighting for their spots against the bottom 2 teams in their group. Tunisia face last-place Libya and DR Congo will be facing Guinea. Tunisia needs at least a draw to advance. DR Congo needs a win over Guinea by more than Libya's win over Tunisia.

Group C will see Morocco and Ivory Coast playing for their spot. Morocco would need at least a draw against the elephants to advance. Ivory Coast just needs a win to advance.

Group D is the most wide-open group in the African Confederation. Senegal need to play against South Africa on the 10th and 14th. Their match on the 10th was originally a South African victory, but the referee of that match was banned for life by FIFA for "unlawfully influencing" the match after issuing a handball against Senegal.

If Senegal lose one of their matches, it would open the door for South Africa in their rematch and the possible winner of the Burkina Faso-Cape Verde match.

Picks to advance in Africa: Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.